Caramel Popcorn

We used to be able to buy microwave caramel popcorn from supermarket but not anymore. We have not seen it in recent years but the normal buttery version is still available with variation. I don’t know why – maybe there is not popular or maybe it deems unfit for consumers!

However, when I went to swim 2 weeks ago – I saw bags of homemade caramel popcorn for sale at the cashier at the pool so I bought a couple. It was so more-ish that I had to look up for recipes. I have tried a couple of recipes and tweaked a bit – and I have learned that baking soda is added to the caramel for a good reason. It’s there to make the texture brittle and save you from going to the dentist too soon. Without it, the caramel will be a hard candy.

Ingredients
1 bag of ACT 2 microwave popcorn (2 m 40 secs in the microwave) or 4-5 cups Popcorn of your choice
100 grams butter or margarine or half/half
½ cup white sugar
1 tablespoon liquid honey
1 tablespoon maple syrup
¼ teaspoon baking soda

Spread popcorn on a baking tray.

In a saucepan put butter, sugar, maple syrup and honey together and place on a medium/low heat on a stove. Stir until sugar dissolved and leave to cook undisturbed for about 4 minutes or until the mixture turns golden brown. Remove from heat and add baking soda and stir quickly. Pour the caramel mixture over popcorn and toss to coat. It’s very hot so take care not to burn yourself.

Leave too cool before storing in an air-tight container. This is perfect for any night in – in front of the TV watching Orange is the New Black.